Memory Hunted Read Free Page A

Daeric’s back. The real problem is if he finds out Kit is a fox.
    Daeric suddenly turned his horse around. "I am going
to ride back. We seem to be safely behind the soldiers, but we need to be sure no
one is following us as we are them. We can’t trust anyone in these parts."
    "We are being followed?" Yuzu shifted in the wagon to
look.
    "No need to worry. It is merely caution. I will keep
you safe." Daeric bowed in his saddle. "I will not be too far. I will hear your
lovely voices should there be any danger. I would hear your lips across the oceans
and ride on the water should you need me."
    "Yes, well, we will be fine," Kit said. "My husband is
protection enough."
    Daeric weighed Timothy. "I will be at your side, Sunflower.
Just breathe my name," he said. "Keep straight on this road until I get back. I
need to see which forks we may need to take." The man rode off.
    "I really dislike that man," Timothy muttered.
    "I think you intimidate him, Timmy." Kit wrinkled her
nose. "He smells feral."
    "Feral?" Timothy studied trees that looked identical
to the ones they passed an hour before. With the way the road curved, he felt
like they were traveling in a circle.
    "The word just came to me." Kit closed her cloak
against the wind.
    "We would be better off without him."
    "Oh, I don’t know. He does keep you on your toes. Now
if only I could figure out why he smells so odd." She chewed on her lower lip.
"He reminds me a little of this one man I knew. Daeric isn’t as bad as Trent
was, at least. But he does smell feral. Much like a hound."
    "I don’t know about how men smell. Why should that
matter?" Yuzu asked.
    Timothy felt irritation rise. "And how do you know how
to read men so well, Kit?" His voice held an edge.
    Kit’s eyebrows disappeared into her red bangs. She stumbled
over a rock. "Now where is this coming from, Timothy?" she asked. "I know about
all types of idiot, and I do not like what you are getting at."
    Timothy took a breath. "Sorry. I get irritable when
I am tired, and that man just—"
    Kit’s gaze held a dangerous gleam. "You peeked with Trent,
but now you’ve opened the box, shepherd. Do you really want to know how well I’ve
known men?"
    Timothy’s heart dropped into his stomach. Yuzu leaned
closer. The mule huffed and plodded.
    Kit’s smile sliced. "My, this does bother you. Don’t
ask what you can’t handle."
    His heart boiled in a stomach sloshing with jealousy.
    "I can count on one hand if you absolutely must know,"
Kit said.
    Timothy tripped.
    "Sister!" Yuzu held a hand over her mouth.
    Kit held up a closed hand. "You want to know, woolbrained
bookbug?"
    The world lurched around Timothy. Would it really change
anything?
    Yes. It would change how he viewed Kit.
    Kit laid a hand on his knotted shoulder. "Look at my
hand," she whispered.
    Slowly, painfully, Timothy looked at Kit’s fist.
    What did he expect? One finger? Five? Would it be so
wrong if it was five? Timothy swayed. Kit would still be Kit, right? Yes and no.
    The fist stayed closed.
    "I told you before, idiot. Only you have seen all of
me," Kit whispered.
    "I can’t hear what you are saying," Yuzu said.
    "How many for you, dear sister, besides your Allen?"
Kit’s tone dripped sweet poison.
    "Allen and I never…I…um…" Yuzu looked away.
    Timothy felt dizzy. His shoulder muscles writhed. "Why
did you do that to me?" His voice sounded weak.
    "Why did you have to suddenly turn into a brainless idiot?
Well, I wanted you to be jealous. I can’t have an unfeeling rock for a husband,
but if jealousy makes you lose all sense, I’d best keep it to a minimum. Besides,
would it make that much of a difference?" Kit asked.
    Timothy’s heart still drummed. "Yes," he said without
thinking.
    Kit opened her mouth and closed it again. Her brow
furrowed as she chewed on her bottom lip. Her hand slipped from his shoulder.
    "I…well…" Kit said. "I guess it isn’t a problem then."
    Timothy groaned inside. Kit’s right. I am an idiot. But it